How to Avoid "Totally Broke Tuesday" after Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving day is almost here! Time to relax with family, watch some football, and eat…and eat…and eat some more. Thanksgiving is a time when we can give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, like health, loved ones, a wonderful family and amazing friends. I’m one of the lucky ones (in my opinion) because I don’t have to host or cook. But I do know that it can be expensive to host Thanksgiving, especially if you have a large circle of friends and family.

Despite what marketing executives would have us believe, the Holiday Season is not always a warm, carefree, or cozy time for many of us, if not most of us. The season is packed with stress—emotional stress, time stress, expectations stress, financial stress… the list goes on. I would be willing to say that financial stress is in the top three, for sure.

Why do I say this, you may ask? Well, our nation’s list of holidays include shopping specific days, such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, which are all catchy names to make shopping and spending seem like you just can’t afford to miss out! These days have become part of the post-Thanksgiving tradition for many and while it can be a great way to save money on gifts for the upcoming holidays, unfortunately they can also lead to holiday overspending. Here are some ways to avoid experiencing Totally Broke Tuesday:

If you’re hosting on Thanksgiving, keep it simple! As pot luck dinners have become increasingly popular over the years, more and more people are hopping on board. Ask guests to bring items, including main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks. Guests enjoy contributing and it makes them feel more involved in the holiday.

As for the main events aka “Shopping Days” to follow…

Make a list ahead of time of the things you need and for whom…and then stick to it. Keep in mind that these great deals that the stores are offering are designed to get you in the door in hopes that you will spend more than you originally planned so you must stay strong. If you need extra help, take an accountability partner with you to keep you in check!

Set a max budget for each person and be consistent. It may be a little cookie cutter but it is a great way to stay on track and also not hurt any feelings. Keep in mind that you are not the only one who is feeling a pinch in your wallet every holiday season, and often if you bring up a gift cost limit with family and friends, they are happy to agree to one.

Comparison shop before you even leave your house. Utilize newspaper ads and search the internet to make sure that you are getting the best deals. Be sure to factor in travel costs to stores farther away. There are also smart phone apps, such as Shop Savvy, which will help you find the best price on item with a simple scan of a bar code.

Know when to stop. It is important to know when to stop and to stick to your limits that you set for everyone. No going over! If you find the perfect gift after you have already spent on a person, return the first one! The holidays are really about spending time with your family and friends and not about gifts. If you cannot afford to buy gifts this year and you like to bake, I guarantee that if you prepare some homemade cookies for everyone and bring them to the gathering, you will be a big hit.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving should be a celebratory, a time to sit down with a warm drink and think of all the money you saved while sticking to your holiday budget…not leave you broke!

Now, if you have taken these nuggets of advice and still find yourself in need of immediate cash for Thanksgiving, please call us at Coastal Title Loans & Finance, LLC (714-701-8555), or just come on down to our Westminster office. We are happy to provide you the best car title loan with fast, friendly service and instant cash.